Quick Summary :
The EFG London Jazz Festival returns from 13th to 22nd November 2026, featuring performances across more than 60 venues throughout London. With major locations including the Barbican, Southbank Centre, Royal Albert Hall, Ronnie Scott’s, Cadogan Hall and Jazz Cafe, planning your transport in advance can make attending multiple performances easier. This guide covers venue locations, recommended taxi drop-off and pickup points, estimated travel times between venues, evening traffic conditions and late-night transport options. Discover how pre-booking a minicab with MiniCabRide can help you enjoy The EFG London Jazz festival with convenient pickups, fixed fares and reliable journeys.
Table of Contents
Southbank Centre/Royal Festival Hall
The EFG London Jazz Festival runs from 13 to 22 November 2026 at over 60 locations across London. The busiest venues include the Barbican, Southbank Centre and Royal Albert Hall, but there are also club nights in Soho and Camden. If you book a minicab in advance, you’ll get a set price, guaranteed pick-up, and simple late-night transportation.
There are many venues across London during the 10 days of jazz; you may want to attend a gala event at Royal Festival Hall, have dinner in Soho, and stay late in Camden. Each venue can have different drop-off points, and things can get congested in the evenings. We’ve put together some useful information about the main venues you can find at the festival, ideal drop-off points and how to travel between them.
What is the EFG London Jazz Festival 2026?
The EFG London Jazz Festival is one of the largest music festivals in the city and is in its 34th year. It returns for 10 days of great jazz performances across more than 60 London venues. The festival goes far beyond just jazz.
The classic Opening Gala is on 13 November, featuring Jazz Voice, a John Coltrane centenary concert at the Barbican, headline acts at Royal Albert Hall, and intimate club gigs. The main festival hub is the Barbican, but it also highlights many iconic jazz rooms, including Ronnie Scott’s. Please check the official website for the latest programme, as more events are still to be added. This is the main venue for the opening night, and there are many big events at the Southbank Centre. It is located by Waterloo, so if you’re travelling from the North, you will be crossing Waterloo Bridge. If you’re coming from the South, you’ll be using Belvedere Road. Most people will be dropped off along Belvedere Road and will have a short walk to the Royal Festival Hall entrances; however, it can take a little longer during busy times.
Barbican Centre
The main venue for the festival is the Barbican in the City. There are performances within the main hall, cinema and surrounding venues. The main entrance is Silk Street and most people will be dropped off along this road. Alternatively, they can be dropped off along Beech Street or Aldersgate Street. As the Barbican is infamous for being confusing, please follow the signs from the road.
Ronnie Scott’s (Soho)
One of the most famous jazz clubs in the world, Ronnie Scott’s is a firm favourite for the festival. The streets in Soho can be very small and one-way, so your driver may drop you off along Old Compton Street, Greek Street or Shaftesbury Avenue. You’ll have a short walk to the venue, and there may be some crowds during the evenings.
Cadogan Hall (Chelsea)
There are various performances here in Cadogan Hall (Chelsea), including Lizz Wright. As this is a quieter area of London, you can be dropped off along Sloane Terrace. The area around Sloane Square makes a great meeting point.
Royal Albert Hall (Kensington)
This is located on Kensington Gore facing Hyde Park. The back of the venue is Prince Consort Road. Due to the large events, there can be heavy congestion around Kensington Gore. Dropping off along a side street and having a short walk can be quicker.
Jazz Cafe (Camden)
The Jazz Cafe is located on Parkway, near Camden Town station. The area around Camden High Street can be very busy in the evenings, so try to get dropped off along Parkway or a nearby side street like Arlington Road. Agree on a pick-up point in advance.
Venues can change, so please check the festival programme for accurate information.
Best Taxi Drop-off and Pick-up Points
| Venue | Suggested drop-off area | Suggested pickup area |
|---|---|---|
| Southbank Centre | Belvedere Road side | A quieter road near Waterloo Bridge |
| Barbican | Silk Street | Beech Street or Aldersgate Street |
| Ronnie Scott’s | Old Compton Street or Greek Street | Shaftesbury Avenue |
| Cadogan Hall | Sloane Terrace | Sloane Square side |
| Royal Albert Hall | Kensington Gore | Prince Consort Road |
| Jazz Cafe | Parkway | Arlington Road or a nearby side street |
These are just suggestions and aren’t official taxi ranks. Rules will vary depending on the road. Please follow the signs and your driver’s instructions. Try to avoid the main doors during busy times. Agree on a meeting point a minute’s walk from the main doors. All details will be shown on your MiniCabRide confirmation and messages.
Travel Between Venues
It can be easier to plan the order in which you want to visit the venues. Below are approximate distances and typical times during the evening. Actual times will depend on the traffic.
| Journey | Approx. distance | Typical evening time |
|---|---|---|
| Southbank Centre to Barbican | 2 to 3 miles | 15 to 25 minutes |
| Barbican to Soho | 2 to 3 miles | 20 to 30 minutes |
| Soho to Cadogan Hall | 2 miles | 15 to 25 minutes |
| Cadogan Hall to Royal Albert Hall | 1 to 2 miles | 10 to 20 minutes |
| Royal Albert Hall to Camden | 4 to 5 miles | 25 to 40 minutes |
Allow some extra time and don’t plan to go straight from an encore. With MiniCabRide, you can make multiple stops. Our hourly transfer service is perfect for visiting multiple venues. You’ll have the same driver waiting for you. We offer free waiting time (up to 15 minutes at most addresses).
Tips for Taxis During the Festival
The main issue during the festival will be the congestion during the evenings. Central London becomes busy from late afternoon as lots of people coming from theatres and concerts arrive around 6.30 pm and 7.30 pm. The busiest areas will be Soho, Kensington Gore and Camden High Street. There will also be heavy congestion at Waterloo and the South Bank on opening night.
There won’t be much parking around the venues. There are controlled parking zones and restrictions in Soho, Chelsea and Kensington. If you’re driving, you’ll have to search for somewhere to park and pay for it. Using a taxi completely avoids this.
Saturday 14 November is the Lord Mayor’s Show, with many roads closed throughout the City for most of the day. This could affect your journey to the Barbican. Please check the official website for closure information and let your driver know in advance. If you’re travelling through the central zone, please check TfL’s Congestion Charge times.
Booking a Taxi for Late Night Events
Late night events can go until after midnight. Buses will be less frequent, and the Tube will be closing down. With a booked return, you’ll have a car waiting for you.
- Book in advance. You’ll need to book at least 2 hours in advance. You can book up to 12 months in advance. Book as soon as possible for the festival weekends.
- Book your return. When booking, you can add a return journey. This saves you having to book at midnight.
- Tell us when you’ll be finishing. Let us know when you expect to finish and if there will be an encore.
- Agree on a meeting point. Choose a nearby side road.
- Keep your phone on. You’ll receive an email/SMS confirmation, and we have 24-hour support on 0044 207 0050 090.
No surge pricing means you won’t pay more when everyone is leaving the venue.
Minicab or Public Transport?
| Factor | Minicab | Public Transport |
|---|---|---|
| Door to door | Yes | Walk at each end |
| Late-night return | Pre-booked and waiting | Reduced service, interchanges |
| Multiple venues | One vehicle, flexible stops | Separate journeys and changes |
| Cost | Fixed fare, shared among a group | Individual fares |
| Bad weather | Dry and direct | Wet walks and crowded stations |
The Tube is great for single journeys early in the evening between well-connected stations. However, if you’re going late, with a group, or travelling between venues, it’s better to use a Private Car. Many people use both.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the EFG London Jazz Festival 2026?
The festival runs from 13 to 22 November 2026.
Which venues are there?
Over 60 venues. Including the Barbican, Royal Festival Hall, Royal Albert Hall, Cadogan Hall and Ronnie Scott’s. Please check the official website for a full list.
Where can I be dropped off near the Southbank Centre?
Most people are dropped off near Belvedere Road, close to the Royal Festival Hall. Your driver will drop you off at the closest safe place.
How do I travel between venues?
Using a booked minicab with multiple stops or hourly hire. Most venues will take between 15- 40 minutes during the evening.
Can I book a taxi after a late-night event?
Yes. Book with at least 2 hours’ notice. Add your return journey. Tell us when you’ll be finishing.
Book your London Jazz Festival Taxi with MiniCabRide
Sit back and enjoy the music! Book a minicab with fixed pricing, instant confirmation (email/SMS) and 24/7 support. Book your Festival Taxi online, or explore our station and airport transfers.
